D-Black | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Desmond Kwesi Blackmore |
| Also known as | Da Ghana Bwouy |
| Born | 12 January 1987 Accra, Ghana |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Black Avenue Muzik |
Desmond Kwesi Blackmore (born January 12, 1987) [1] [2] , known by his stage name D-Black, is an anglophone hip-hop and Afrobeat musician and entrepreneur from Ghana. [3] He has been described as "a successful entertainment mogul" [4]
D-Black attended Ridge Church School then to Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary [5] before the University of Cape Coast to study B.A Economics and University Of Ghana, Legon to study BFA Theatre Arts/Music.
D-Black was born to a Ghanaian mother Adeline Boateng and a half Ghanaian half English father, John Derek Blackmore. He has 3 children. [6] D-Black has nine siblings. The known ones are Pamela Blackmore, Anthony Blackmore, George Blackmore and Stanley Blackmore. [7]
In 2009, D-Black [8] began his career as an independent artist in the group D-Black & Kwaku T releasing a group album ‘Target Practice’. In 2010 D-Black and his rap partner both went solo. He went on to release three albums (Music, Love and Life, The Revelation, Lightwork’ 1 E.P (Smoke and Mirrors) and 1 mix-tape (Hunger & Thirst) over the years. He has been nominated for numerous awards and won several, including the 2011 BET Awards. [9]
He has collaborated with some African acts including Davido, Mayorkun, M.I, Phyno, Ice Prince, Seyi Shay from Nigeria, Cassper Nyovest, Bucie, HHP from South Africa, Stanley Enow from Cameroon, Stella Mwangi from Kenya and Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania as well as Sarkodie, Shatta Wale, StoneBwoy, Castro, Bisa Kdei, Efya, King Promise, Kuami Eugene E.L, Kwabena Kwabena, VVIP and more from his homeland Ghana. [10] [11] [ citation needed ]
In 2012, the musician released an album titled "The Revelation," which helped solidify his reputation as both a business mogul and rapper. He collaborated with notable artists such as Sarkodie, among others, further establishing his influence in the music industry. [1]
D-Black, the multi-talented artist and entrepreneur, proudly represents Ciroc Ultra Premium Vodka as its official brand ambassador in Ghana. Additionally, he secures a marketing partnership with Black Sun Energy Drink, showcasing his prowess in the beverage industry. With his distinctive style, he fronts his own Black Avenue Clothing Line, embodying fashion and sophistication. Notably, D-Black previously served as the esteemed brand ambassador for The Rlg Brand of VIVA phones in the West African Sub Region in 2013, highlighting his wide-ranging influence and expertise across various sectors. [2]
D-Black is the CEO of record label Black Avenue Muzik, [2] with act including himself, DJ Breezy, S3fa, as well as music producer Rony Turn Me Up and Paul Noun. [12] Former acts include Joey B, [13] Freda Rhymz, Dahlin Gage, Ms. Forson, Osayo & Nina Ricchie & Wisa Greid. [14] It won record label of the year at the 2018 Ghana - Naija Entertainment Awards in Lagos, Nigeria. [15] and was nominated for the record label of the year at the 2019 Ghana Entertainment Awards in New York. [16]
Founded in 2012, a design company, marketer and importer of men and women's apparel. [17]
Livewire Events is an events management company founded in 2015. In 2015 they produced the Bukom Banku vs Ayittey Powers boxing match at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. It included performances from Sarkodie, Shatta Wale and Efya. [18] Other notable events include the 2018 Kundum Festival Jam in Axim for the Ministry of Tourism. [19]
He produced Why Should I Get Married movie starring John Dumelo, Maria Nepembe, Princess Shyngle, Eya, Prince David Osei, [20] and The EFGH Show hosted by Peace Hyde in 2015. [21]
D-Black as an entrepreneur owns Club Onyx, Oasis Lounge and La Maison restaurant all businesses within the hospitality industry in Ghana. [22]
 | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources .(March 2022) |
| Year | Event | Award | Song | Results | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Best West African | Move | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Vodafone Ghana Music Awards | Hip-Hop / Hip-life Song of the Year | Breathe | Nominated | [23] |
| Music Video of the Year | Breathe | Won | |||
| Museke African Music Awards | Music Video of the Year | Breathe | Nominated | ||
| African Music Awards, London | Music Video of the Year | Breathe | Won | ||
| Channel O Music Video Awards, South Africa | Best Hip-hop | Breathe | Nominated | ||
| Best Music Video | Breathe | Nominated | |||
| Sound City Music Awards, Nigeria | Best Collaboration | Somebody | Nominated | ||
| Best New Video | Believe | Nominated | |||
| 4SYTE Music Video Awards | Best Overall Video | Breathe | Nominated | ||
| Best Storyline in a Video | Breathe | Won [24] | |||
| Best Directed Video | Breathe | Nominated | |||
| Best Collaboration in a Video | Breathe | Won | |||
| Best Group Video | Breathe | Nominated | |||
| 2011 | Ghana Music Awards | Hip hop/ Hip-life Artist of the Year | None | Nominated | [25] |
| Hip hop Song of the Year | Get on Da Dancefloor | Won | |||
| Songwriter of the Year | Somebody | Nominated | |||
| Collaboration of the Year | Somebody | Nominated | |||
| Album of the Year | Music, Love & Life | Nominated | |||
| BET Awards | Best International Artist of the Year (Africa) | - | Nominated [26] | ||
| Ghana Gospel Industry Awards | Alternate Gospel Song of the year | Somebody | Nominated | [27] | |
| Alternate Gospel Video of the year | Somebody | Won | |||
| Channel O Music Video Awards | Best African West | Get on Da Dancefloor | Nominated | ||
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Best Photography in a video | Somebody | Nominated | [28] | |
| Best Hip-hop Video | Get on da dancefloor | Nominated | |||
| Best Collaboration in a video | Somebody | Nominated | |||
| Best Edited Video | Get on Da Dancefloor | Nominated | |||
| Music Video Awards | Best African Act | Get on Da Dancefloor | Nominated | ||
| Ghana Hip-hop Awards | The Next Big Thing Award | - | Won | ||
| Male Hip-hop Artiste(of the Decade) | - | [29] | |||
| Hip-hop album (of the Decade) | - | Nominated | |||
| Best Collaboration | Breathe | Nominated | |||
| Hip-hop Artiste of the year | - | Won | |||
| 2012 | Ghana Music Awards | Hip-hop Song of the year | My Kinda Girl | Nominated | [30] |
| Music Video of the year | My Kinda Girl | Nominated | |||
| Album of the Year | The Revelation | Nominated | |||
| HSH Awards | Most Influential Artiste | - | Won | ||
| Hip-hop World Awards | Best International Artiste | - | Nominated | ||
| Channel O Music Video Awards | Best West Africa video | Falling | Won | ||
| MTN 4SYTE Music Video Awards | Best Collaboration | Falling | Won | ||
| 2013 | Ghana Music Awards | Artist of the year | - | Nominated | [31] |
| Song of the Year | Vera | Nominated | |||
| Hip-life Song of the Year | Vera | Nominated | |||
| Hip-hop Song of the Year | Falling | Nominated | |||
| Hip-hop/Hip-life Artiste of the Year | - | Nominated | |||
| Ghana Music Awards UK | Song of the year | Vera | Won | ||
| Collaboration of the year | Vera | Won | |||
| Channel O Music Video Awards | Best Africa West | Vera | Nominated | [32] | |
| 2015 | Ghana Music Awards | Hip-life Song of the Year | Seihor | Won | |
| 2016 | 4Syte Music Video Awards | Male Video of the Year | Kotomoshi | Won | [33] |
| Hiplife Video of the Year | Kotomoshi | Nominated | |||
| Best Directed Video of the Year | Kotomoshi | Nominated | |||
| Most Influential Artist of the Year | D-Black | Nominated | |||
| 2017 | Ghana Movie Awards | Soundtrack the Year | D-Black ft. Efya | Won | |
| 4Syte Music Video Awards | Hiplife Video of the Year | Bottles | Won | [34] | |
| Male Video of the Year | Bottles | Nominated | |||
| Photography Video of the Year | Bottles | Nominated | |||
| 2018 | 40 Under 40 Awards | Entrepreneur the Year (Hospitality) | D-Black (Club Onyx) | Won | |
| 2019 | Ghana Entertainment Awards Awards | Artist / Entrepreneur of the Year | D-Black | Won | |
| 2022 | 3Music Awards | Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [35] |
| Afrobeats/Afropop Song of the Year | Enjoyment Minister ft. Quamina MP, Stonebwoy | Nominated | |||
| Hiplife/Hip Hop Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Album of the Year | Loyalty | Nominated |
Elom Adablah, better known by his stage name E.L, is a Ghanaian Afrobeats musician, rapper, singer and producer.
Nii Addo Quaynor, better known by his stage name Tinny, is a Ghanaian Rapper. He was born in Osu, Ghana to Mr. Ricky Tetteh Quaynor and Naa Badu Quaynor. He is the last born of their six children. At the early age of eight, by singing and rapping at parties and funfairs, he got into the music industry. In 1994, he started performing at Fun-World, an entertainment program that was organized every Sunday at the National Theatre (Accra). He has released five studio albums since his debut.
Kwame Ametepee Tsikata, known professionally as M.anifest is a Ghanaian musician, rapper and record producer.
Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., is a Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artist. He is known by his stage name Shatta Wale, formerly Bandana. His best-known singles are "Dancehall King", "My level" and "We taking over". He is also known for "Already" from Beyoncé's Black Is King which also featured Major Lazer. His song "Dancehall King" earned him the Artiste of the Year at the 2014 edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Wale is also an actor who appeared in the films Never Say Never, The trial of Shatta Wale and Shattered Lives. Wale's 2004 recording "Moko Hoo" was nominated for a Ghana Music Award.
Livingstone Etse Satekla, better known by his stage name Stonebwoy, is a Ghanaian Afropop, dancehall and reggae musician.
Darryl Paa Kwesi Bannerman-Martin, known under the stage name Joey B, is a Ghanaian hip hop recording artist. He is well known for his single "Tonga".
Samuel Adu Frimpong, popularly known as Medikal, is a Ghanaian hip hop musician born to Portia Lamptey and James Frimpong in Sowutuom, a suburb of Accra.
Ruth Eno Adjoa Amankwah Nyame Adom, known professionally by her stage name Eno Barony, is a Ghanaian rapper and songwriter. Born in Tema, Accra, she released her debut single, "Wats Ma Name" and also "Tonga", the remix of the track "Tonga" by Joey B ft Sarkodie in 2014 that lifted her into the limelight. It was claimed she was the first Ghanaian female rapper to hit a million views on YouTube.
Ayat Maqwam Salis, better known by his stage name Kirani Ayat, is a Ghanaian musician, rapper, singer and producer. Kirani Ayat started his music professionally as Mr. Ayat in 2008 and later rebranded to "Billy Banger" in 2010 during that period, where he recorded and released several mixtapes, which made a little impact locally. In 2011, as "Billy Banger" he recorded and released "aint easy", a hip-hop/RnB song which had an honorable mention in the Hip-hop category at the 2011 International Songwriting Competition out of over 17,000 entries. Kirani Ayat's hit records include "Kudi", "I Don't Know You (IDKY)", "Play For Keeps (SOYAYA)" and "Dodo".
John Kwesi Dosunmu-Mensah better known as M.O.G Beatz, is a Ghanaian record producer who specializes in Afro-pop, Hip hop, Afrobeats, R&B, Hiplife, Fuji and Highlife.
Xbills Ebenezer is a Ghanaian music video director, and filmmaker. He is the founder and CEO of Xpress Philms, a production company that specialises in production of film, television, and music video. Xbills has directed music videos for recording artists across an array of genres, including Bisa Kdei, Shatta Wale, Becca, Kofi Kinaata, Edem, Eazzy, Gurunkz,VVIP, Obrafour, Dobble, AK Songstress, Tic Tac, Sarkodie, Jupitar,and more.
Dennis Nana Dwamena, widely recognized by his stage name "KiDi," which translates to "Rhythm," was born on August 18, 1993. He is a prominent Ghanaian singer-songwriter known for his contributions to the genres of afrobeats and high-life.
Eugene Kwame Marfo, who goes by the stage name Kuami Eugene is a Ghanaian High-life and Afrobeat singer-songwriter. He is signed to Lynx Entertainment and Empire Distribution and is known for several songs, including "Angela", "Wish Me Well," "Ohemaa" and many others. He won the New Artist awards in 2018 from the Ghana Music Awards and the Ghana Music Awards UK. He also received the Most Promising Artist in Africa award from AFRIMA. In 2019, Kwame Eugene received 7 nominations at the Ghana Music Awards and went on to win the awards for Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, and Highlife Artist of the Year. He was crowned Artist of the Year and High-life Artist of the Year at the 2020 Ghana Music Awards.
Wendy Asiamah Addo, known by the stage name Wendy Shay, is a Ghanaian singer. In March 2021, she was among the Top 30 Most Influential Women in Music by the 3Music Awards Women's Brunch.
The 3 Music Award is Ghanaian music awards ceremony held annually since 2018 to celebrate Ghanaian music. It was established by the 3Music Network with Media General TV3 as broadcasters. The Multimedia group became the media right holder in the second and subsequent edition. In 2020, the Fan fest which was scheduled to take place at the Accra Polo Grounds was cancelled and a Virtual award ceremony was held from the Fantasy Dome, Trade Fair La. This was because of the ban on public gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Derrick Sarfo Kantanka,, best known as Amerado, is a Ghanaian rapper from Kumasi. He is the curator of Yeete Nsem, Ghana's first news casting rap series.
Nana Kofi Asihene is a Ghanaian music video director, creative consultant, film producer and film maker.
Sefadzi Abena Amesu better known by her stage name S3fa is a Ghanaian singer and songwriter. She is an afro-pop and afrobeats musician. S3fa won the Afrobeats Song of the year award during the 2022 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards with her song titled, E Choke.
